Continuous blast cleaning barrel



3 sheets-sheet 1 W. L. KEEFER CONTINUOUS BLAST CLEANING BARREL Filed July 22, 1946 woe/nto@ WAM Tf/F .c MEE/ffm May 18, 1948.

M 'ay 18, 1948. w. L. KEE-FER 2,441,578

CONTINUQUS BLAST CLEANING BARREL v Filed July 22, 194e s shuts-sheet 2 May 18, 19.48- w. L. KEEFER 2,441,578

CONTINUOUS BLAST CLEANING BARREL Filed July 22, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 18, 1948 CONTINUOUS BLAST CLEANING BARREL Walter L. Keeler, Hagerstown, Md., assignor to Pangborn Corporation, Hagerstown, Md., a corporation of Maryland Application July 22, 1946, Serial No. 685,448

This invention relates to blasting machines of the continuous type for the surface treatment of castings or other articles. A primary object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive, durable and highly eflicacious machine of this type, embodying a plurality of spaced apart rotary tumbling barrels, through which continuously travel the articles undergoing treatment, and in one, or more, of which the articles being tumbled are subjected to blasting, and means for bridging portions of the gap between contiguous ends of adjacent barrels travelling at substantially the peripheral speed of the barrels.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof.

The invention comprises theco'mbination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed. A preferred construction of machine embodying the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine comprising four tumbling barrels.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line 2 2. Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively an end and a top view of the part of the housing of the machine more particularly associated with one of the airless blasting machines.

Fig. 5 is an elevation for showing the relation to one another of the various parts constituting what might be called the operative portion of the machine.

Fig. 6 is an end view of one of the barrels and the arrangement embodied in the -machine for bridging portions of the gap between contiguous ends of adjacent barrels.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a part of the housing associated with one of the airless blasting machines.

The combination which characterizes the active operative portion of the preferred embodiment of my invention is shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 5 to 7, and includes a plurality of tumbling barrels II supported for rotation about a substantial horizontal axis, with the adjacent ends of contiguous barrels spaced apart from each other for providing gaps I2 of suicient width for accommodating in each the major part of the rotor I3 and parts contiguous thereto of an airless type of blasting machine, such as that disclosed in Patent 2,352,588, which occupy a posi- 21 Claims. (Cl. 51-13)l from the axis of rotation of the barrels II than the length of the barrel radius.

The combination is further characterized by means I4, shown as an arcuately-arranged bridging conveyor, for bridging each gap between corresponding arcuate portions of the contiguous ends of adjacent barrels, which means is so positioned that it is about centrally bisected by a plane parallel with and interesecting the axis of rotation of the barrels and intersecting approximately the middle of the rotor of the associated blasting machine. Each bridge member I4 overlaps upon the peripheral portions of contiguous barrels, and travels in synchronism therewith.

As shown herein, each bridge I4 is provided by a run I5a of an endless belt I5 having means associated therewith for driving it and for maintaining its contact with the peripheries of the tumbling barrels. It may be said that the run ISa of each belt I5 bridges the gap between the third and portions of the second and fourth quadrential sectors of the contiguous ends of adjacent barrels.

The belt I5, or at least its outer surface, is

preferably formed of rubber composition, or some medium which is resistant to abrasion by the blasting stream.

Each blasting machine rotor I 3 is so positioned that the blasting stream I6 propelled thereby, which has a. generally oblong contact pattern, will be discharged into the barrel II in advance of the rotor I3 for approximately the full length of the barrel, and with the longer axis of the contact pattern substantially parallel to the barrel axis.

The barrels II are provided with perforated peripheral walls, as indicated in Fig. 7, for permitting the separation from the articles passing therethrough of what might be called the detritus,"

consisting of the surface material removed from the castings and the more or less spent blasting medium. The detritus passes through the barrel perforations into an underlying chamber II from which it is conveyed in any desired way, as by a screw conveyor I 8.

In the set-up shown in the accompanying drawings, the outer end of the first barrel is provided with a head I9 having an opening 20 therein through which the articles to be treated are introduced as by a chute 2l leading from a feed conveyor 22. The final barrel acts solely as a work tumbling conveying and sieving element. The continuous passage of the articles through each barrel is obtained, or promoted, by one or tion above but not materially further removed more spiral ribs 23 on its inner wall.

Referring more particularly to Figs. l2, 5, 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings, the widely spaced apart barrels II are each provided with narrow peripheral bands, or tracks 2l, on each barrel which run upon the treads of flanged supporting wheels, or rollers and 26, carried by shafts 2'I and 28 supported by suitable journal bearings and the former of which is driven by a motor 29 through an interposed transmission. By this means the barrels are rotated at the desired speed.

The bridging member I4 for the gap between.

each pair of barrels is, as stated, formed by a run lia oi an endless belt I5 which is trained over rollers 34,35 and 3B. Rollers 35, which act as the driving rollers, are splined or otherwise secured to the shaft 21. Rollers 36 are provided to hold the belts under tension for maintaining the bridging runs thereof in contact with the peripheries of the barrels, and a spring is preferably associated with the carrying arm of each roller 36 for moving the roller outwardly, or in a direction away from the axis of rotation of the barrels in the set-up shown in Fig. 2.

The major part of a blasting machine rotor It and its contiguous associated parts are located in each gap I2 above the axis of rotation of the barrels I I, and not further removed from said axis than the length of the barrel radius. Thus there is a rotor I3 associated with each tumbling barrel Ii in which blasting' occurs, so positioned, as stated, that the blasting stream is discharged from the rotor at a point not further removed from the axis of the barrel than the length of its radius, and this stream is propelled lengthwise of the barrel for practically its full length, and contacts, with a blasting velocity, with the articles travelling therethrough.

With the operating parts described, a suitable housing, or casing, is associated which in the setup disclosed supports the operating parts from the door of the building in which the machine is installed, or other suitable foundation. .As shown, this housing comprises, generally. a channel iron, or beam 40, providing'the vertical front wall of the casing, which rests upon the shop oor, or other foundation, and a corresponding channel iron, or beam ill, which, with a sheet metal plate t2, forms the vertical rear wall oi the housing (see Fig. 2) The lower ange oi' the channel iron @I also rests upon the shop oor, or foundation. The plate d2 is provided at its upper edge with a horizontal extension lit which forms a portion oi the top wall of the casing, and which at its front edge is provided with an angularly disposed 'flange dd.

A cap section, or member titl, a perspective view of which is shown in Fig. 8, provides the part of the housing when the upper part of each of the gaps aforesaid, and these caps, or members 5t, directly support the blasting machines, or support them from the -beams il@ and the rear wall of the casing. At its opposite sides each cap member is provided with arcuate dances bi beneath which extend the end portions of adiacent barrels il. Each cap is further provided with spaced apart front and back walls 5t, 5S, between which is located the rotor it of a blasting machine, and the parts immediately associated with this rotor. Walls 52 and bt are provided with aligning openings for the rotor shaft bt and for a supporting plate, or like part 55, oi the blasting machine. The plate 55 carries the spout which receives and supplies the blasting medium to the rotor I 3. This spout 56 projects dit through the rear wall |53 and receives the discharge from the end of a supply pipe 51 leading from a suitable container, or reservoir 58, for the blasting medium. The cap, or member 50, also includes end walls and bottom walls 59, 60, substantially perpendicular to the walls 52 and 53, the outer ends of which are connected to the upper ange of the beam 40 and the flange 44 aforesaid. The cap or housing member 50 is provided with suitable means for rotatably supporting the rotor shaft 5l of the blasting machine herein comprising bearings 6I and 62 mounted on the walls 52 and 60. The rotor shaft 54 is driven in any desired manner, as by the belt pulleys shown. The casing also includes a rectangular opening giving access to the machine parts between4 the vertical walls 52, 5t. This opening is normally closed by a suitable cover plate 63.

The casing also includes end walls 84 in which are preferably mounted the shafts carrying the rollers 25, 26, 34 and 35 and it is further provided with sections 65 bolted to the top flange of beam fill and to the ange M, which extend over the peripheral portions of the barrels H not housed beneath the anges 5I of the cap members, or sections 5t.

The detritus receiving chamber il before referred to may be provided in the foundation upon which the machine rests, or it may be provided by a hopper forming a part of, or supported from, the casing described.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the invention provides a continuous type of blasting machine of simple and durable construction in which a blasting stream is propelled lengthwise oi each barrel in which blasting occurs from a point above the axis of the barrel but within the radius of its peripheral wall.

The work delivered to the iirst barrel of the machine by a conveyor and feed chute, or otherwise, on entering said barrel is simultaneously tumbled and advanced therein, and is subjected -to surface bombardment by the blast stream particles. This stream is propelled substantially countercurrent to the direction of travel of the work. The detritus,`as stated, passes through the perforated walls of the barrels into a receiving chamber from which it is removed in any desired way. Due to the bridge members the stream oi articles being subjected to treatment pass uninterruptedly from one barrel to the next adjacent barrel notwithstanding a wide gap may be located therebetween. ln the embodiment of the invention disclosed, in the final tumbling barrel no blasting occurs. Therein only a final separation of the detritus from the treated articles is eected.

As the machine is constructed from but a few units which diiier from one another, it is possible to readily change an assembly, as to its capacity, to meet production requirements.

0n completion of a treating operation, the finished work is preferably delivered from the hnal barrel by a chute t@ discharging upon a take-away conveyor tl.

It will be understood that the embodiment shown and described is illustrative only of the invention and that its scope is stated in the appended claims.

What l claim is:

l. In a blasting machine and in combination, at least two peripheral intact tumbling barrels mounted for revolution about a common axis with a gap between their contiguous ends, an

airless type'of blasting machine occupying the gap, and supporting means therefor located in said gap, the rotor oi' said machine being positioned to discharge a stream of abrasive material lengthwise` oQ-yonelof the barrels for impinging upon the a'ticle's being tumbled therein, and means on the opposite side of the barrel axis from the rotor for bridging the gap, said means travelling synchronously with the peripheries of the barrels and having marginal edge portions contacting the same, means for driving the barrels; means for driving the rotor of the blast machine, and means for driving the bridging means.

2. In a blasting machine, adjacent tumbling barrels, an airless type of blasting machine having its rotor located between the contiguous ends of said barrels above the axis of rotation thereof, and with its major portion within the barrel radius, means also located between the contiguous ends of adjacent barrels for supporting the rotor in the position stated with its plane of discharge positioned for propelling the blast stream lengthwise of one of the barrels, and an arcuately-arranged bridging conveyor` driven synchronously with the barrels and bridging the space between arcuate portions of the contiguous ends of the barrel, substantially the middle of said conveyor being intersected by the plane of discharge of the rotor.

3. In a blasting machine and in combination, a tumbling barrel rotatable about a substantially horizontally axis for tumbling work at an angle of repose, a blasting machine mounted with its rotor located at one end of the barrel and with its major part within the radial extent thereof, said rotor having its axis of rotation arranged at an inclination about equal to said angle of repose in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the barrel and having its plane of rotation parallel to the axis of the barrel for propelling a blasting stream into the barrel for a substantial part of its length in a longitudinal plane substantally normal to the angle of repose of the tumbling work.

4. In a blasting machine and in combination, a tumbling barrel open at its ends and rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, means for passing work longitudinally through said barrel to be tumbled therein at an angle of repose, a blasting machine with its rotor located adjacent one open end of said barrel and with its major part Within the radial extent thereof, said rotor having its axis of rotation arranged at an inclination about equal to said angle of repose in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the barrel and having its plane of rotation parallel to the axis of the barrel for propelling a blasting stream into the Ibarrel for a substantial portion of its length in a longitudinal plane substantially normal to the angle of repose of the tumbling work and parallel to its direction of progression through the barrel.

5. In a blasting mill, a plurality of tumbling barrels mounted for revolution about a substantially horizontal axis, the contiguous ends of adjacent barrels being spaced apart to accommodate the rotor of an airless blasting machine, an airless blasting machine having the major part of its rotor located within the barrel radius and above the barrel axis for propelling an abrasive stream into and lengthwise of one of said adjacent barrels for lmplngement upon the articles being tumbled therein, and a bridging member disposed between said adjacent barrels and travelling synchronously therewith, and means 'for' driving the barrels, the rotor, and said member.

6. In a blasting mill, a plurality of tumbling barrels mounted for revolution about a substantially horizontal axis, the contiguous ends of adjacent barrels being spaced 'apart to accommodate the rotor oi' an airless blasting machine, an airless blasting machine having the major portion of its rotor located within the barrel radius and above the axis of the barrel for discharging an abrasive stream into and lengthwise of one of said adjacentlbarrels, and a bridging member disposed between said adjacent barrels and travelling synchronously therewith, andmeans for driving the barrels, the rotor, and said member, said member having a portion overlapping upon the contiguous marginal edges of adjacent barrels.

7. In a blasting mill, a plurality of tumbling barrels mounted for revolution about a substantially horizontal axis, the contiguous ends of adjacent barrels being spaced apart to accommodate the rotor of an airless blasting machine, an airless blasting machine having the major portion of its rotor located within the barrel radius and above the axis of the barrel for discharging an abrasive stream into and lengthwise of one of said adjacent barrels, and a bridging member disposed between said adjacent barrels and travelling synchronously therewith, means for driving the barrels, the rotor, and said member, said member having a portion overlapping upon the contiguous marginal edges of adjacent barrels, and means for yieldingly holding said member in contact with the barrels.

8. In a blasting mill and in combination, at least two tumbling barrels mounted for revolution about a common axis and in at least one of which blasting of the articles being tumbled occurs, the contiguous ends of adjacent barrels being spaced sufllciently apart to accommodate the rotor of an airless blasting machine, the plane of rotation of which is disposed transversely to the axis of the barrel, -said rotor projecting a stream of blasting material into and lengthwise, of the barrel in which blasting occurs, and a member travelling with the barrels bridging the space between the third and parts of the second and fourth quadrential sectors of said barrels, and means for driving the barrels, the rotor, and said member.

9. A blasting mill as described in claim 8 in which the rotor is located substantially in the ilrst quadrential sector of the barrels.

10. In a blasting mill and in combination, a plurality of tumbling barrels mounted for revolution, the contiguous ends of adjacent barrels being spaced apart to provide a gap for accommodating the major portion of the rotor of an airless blasting machine, an airless blasting machine having its rotor located above the centers of said contiguous ends and its major portion within a radius less than the maximum barrel radius, and positioned to discharge a blast stream having a generally oblong contact pattern substantially the full length of one of said barrels, and a member bridging arcuate portions of the contiguous ends of adjacent barrels, and means for driving the member substantially synchronously with the barrels and in peripheral contact therewith. A

11. In a blasting machine, a plurality of tumbling barrels mounted for revolution, the contiguous ends of adjacent barrels being spaced from each other to provide a gap to accommodate a major portion of a rotor `of an airless blasting machine and contiguous associated parts. an airless type of blasting machine having the major portion of its rotor and the contiguous parts associated therewith located in each g-ap above the centers of the contiguous barrel ends and within a radius less than the maximum barrel radius, and positioned to discharge a blasting stream into an adjacent barrel lengthwise of the same, means for bridging the gap between the corresponding arcuate parts of adjacent barrels,

' said means being positioned to be bisected by a plane intersecting substantially the middle of the rotor and barrel axis, means for rotating the barrels, means for driving the rotor, and means for driving the bridging means at substantially the peripheral speed of the barrels.

12. In a blasting mill and in combination, a plurality of tumbling barrels, a stationary housing part interposed between contiguous ends of adjacent barrels, an airless blasting machine mounted on the housing having its rotor positioned above the barrel axis and within a radius not substantially greater than the barrel radius, and with its own axis extending transversely of the barrel axis, said rotor propelling an abrasive stream into an adjacent barrel lengthwise thereof to impinge upon the articles being tumbled therein, means moving synchronously with adjacent barrels and in contact with the peripheries thereof for bridging the space between the contiguous ends of the third and portions of the second and fourth quadrential sectors "of said adjacent barrels, and means for driving the rotor, barrels, and bridging means.

13. A blasting apparatus comprising an alrless type of blasting machine including a rotor for propelling at high velocity an abrasive stream, at least two barrels set in line and spaced apart to provide a gap between their contiguous edges, means for rotating the barrels, a housing including a cap having spaced apart walls extending into the gap on opposite sides oi the rotor, one of the Walls providing a passage for the rotor shaft adjacent the rotor, and the other wall a support for the rotor feed spout, a bearing for the rotor shaft carried by the cap, bridging means between said barrels in the path of travel of the articles discharged from one of said barrels into the other, and means for driving the bridging means at substantially the peripheral speed of said barrels.

lli. In a blasting machine and in combination, a plurality of tumbling barrels arranged end to end and with adjacent ends spaced apart, an air less type of blasting machine associated with one of the barrels having its rotor disposed between said adjacent ends and above the axis of the barrels, a bridging member between arcuate parts oi said adjacent ends, and a housing including a cap member having arcuate anges at its opposite sides overhanging arcuate portions of the adjacent ends of the barrel, and spaced apart parallel walls extending in a radial direction between the adjacent ends of said barrels and providing a passage for the rotor shaft and a support for the rotor feed spout, and a bearing for the rotor shaft supported on said cap.

l5. In a blasting machine and in combination, at least two spaced tumbling barrels in alignment and spaced to provide a gap between their contiguous ends, a blast wheel located in said gap within the periphery of said barrels with its plane of rotation generally parallel to the axis of the latter, a support having parallel walls between which said blast wheel is positioned. said support extending into said gap a substantial distance toward the barrel axis, a shaft for driving said blast wheel passing through one of 'said walls, a feeding device for said blast wheel extending through the other of said Walls, and a bearing for said shaft on said support.

16. Elin a blasting machine and in combination. at least two tumbling barrels mounted for rotation with their contiguous ends substantially in alignment, and with a wide gap therebetween, an airless blasting machine and a housing comprising a bottom section supported upon a foundation, and a cap section for supporting the airless blasting machine and spanning the gap aforesaid, and including walls spaced apart for accommodating the rotor of the blasting machine and supporting it and the parts of the blasting machine contiguous thereto to discharge a blast stream approximately in the direction oi the third quadrant of one of said barrels.

17. In a blasting machine and in combination, at least two tumbling barrels mounted for rotation with their contiguous ends substantially in alignment, and with a wide gap therebetween, an airless lblasting machine and a housing comprising a bottom section supported upon a, toundatlon, and a cap section for supporting the airless blasting machine and spanning the gap aforesaid, and including walls spaced apart for accommodating the rotor of the blasting machine and supporting it and the parts of the blasting machine contiguous thereto to direct a blast stream approximately in alignment with the third quadrant of one of said barrels, said cap section also including bottom walls perpendicular to the side walls having marginal portions resting upon the bottom of the housing, and the cap section iurther including side walls and arcuate peripheral flanges overhanging the contiguous ends of the barrels.

18. In a blasting machine and in combination, a plurality of tumbling barrels arranged end to end and with adjacent ends spaced apart, an airless type of blasting machine associated with one of the barrels having its rotor disposed between contiguous ends of adjacent barrels and above the axes of said barrels, a bridging member between arcuate parts of said contiguous ends, and a casing including a cap member having arcuate iianges at its opposite sides cooperating with arcuate portions of the adjacent ends of the barrels, and spaced apart walls extending in a generally radial direction between the adjacent ends of said 'barrels and providing supports `for the blasting machine rotor, and parts contiguous thereto, said cap member also having a wall perpendicular to one of said parallel Walls and. a bearing carried thereby providing a bearing remote from the rotor for the driving shaft thereof.

19. In a blasting machine and in combination, a plurality of tumbling barrels arranged end to end and with adjacent ends spaced apart, an airless type of blasting machine associated with one of the barrels having its rotor disposed between contiguous ends of adjacent barrels and above the axes of said barrels, and a bridging member between arcuate parts oi said contiguous ends travelling at substantially the speed of said ends, means for rotating the barrels and means for driving said member.

20. A continuous blasting machine including two peripherally intact tumbling barrels having their contiguous ends spaced apart to provide a gap for accommodating a blasting stream projector, a blasting stream projector mounted in the gap for directing a blasting stream lengthwise of one of said barrels and towards the third quadrant thereof. and bridging means interposed between arcuate portions of said contiguous ends ends of the barrel, which portions include said third quadrant, means for rotating the barrels, and means for supporting the bridging means and driving the same at substantially the peripheral speed of the barrels.

21. A continuous blasting machine including two peripnerally intact tumbling barrels having ltheir contiguous ends spaced apart to provide a gap tor accommodating a blasting stream proiector, and means for bridging the gap between aligning arcuate portions of the contiguous ends of the barrels, said means comprising a belt having a run with its marginal edges overlapping said arcuate portions of the contiguous ends of 10 the barrels, means for' rotating the barrels, and means for supporting the belt with its run aforesaid in juxtaposition to the contiguous ends of the barrels and for driving the belt at substang tialiy the peripheral speed oi' the barrels.

WAL'I'ER L. KEEFER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 1 ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATINTS 

